How are shadows fomed?

1. Light
Exploring how shadows are formed
Year 3 / Key Stage 2
Age 7-8
For parents and carers
Thank you for supporting your child’s
learning in science.
Before the session:
• Please read slide 2 so you know what
your child learning and what you need
to get ready.
• As an alternative to lined paper, slide 5
may be printed for your child to record
on.
During the session:
• Share the learning intentions on slide 2.
• Support your child with the main
activities on slides 3 & 4, as needed.
• Slide 6 is a further, optional activity.
• Slide 7 has a glossary of key terms.
Reviewing with your child:
• Slide 8 gives an idea of what your child
may produce.

2. Key Learning
• The size of the shadow depends on the position of
the source, object and surface.
Activities (pages 3-5): approx. 30-40 mins
• Use different coloured chalk
Find out more… (page 6): approx. 15 mins
• Using sundials
• Exploring how shadows are formed
I can…
• explain how a shadow is formed.
Light
Exploring how shadows are formed
Logo for
section to
sit inside
roundel
2

3. Watch this BBC Bitesize clip:
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/
z8vfb9q
• When something blocks light
travelling from a source, a shadow
is made.
• What happens to the shadow if we
use a translucent or transparent
object?
• Read this short article from DK:
• https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/scien
ce/light/shadows/
3
Explore, review, think, talk….
What do you already know about… shadows?
(5 minutes)
Logo for
section to
sit inside
roundel
3

4. Watch this clip from Explorify showing light
shining on different opaque and transparent
objects:
• https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/en/activities
/whats-going-on/shadow-shapes
After you've watched the video,
think about…
• How are the different shadows
made?
• How did the light behave for
each object?
• Can you think of any objects that
don't have a shadow?
• What did you notice about the
size and shape of the shadow as
the torch moved?
Watch, read, listen…
Exploring shadows
(10 minutes)
Logo for
section to
sit inside
roundel
4

5. Instructions for Activity
• Use chalk to trace
around your shadow
outside.
• Repeat this at different
times during the day.
(e.g. 10am, 11am,
12pm, 1pm, 2pm)
• What do you notice
happen to your
shadow?
• Why do you think this
happens?
Learning outcome: I can explain how a shadow is formed
5
Image courtesy of : https://www.raisingdragons.com/shadow-drawing-age-4/

6. Watch this BBC clip about shadow puppets:
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/z87jmp
3
Use a range of translucent and opaque
materials to create your own shadow puppets.
Other ideas for shadow puppets:
• https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/
resource/35265/making-shadow-puppets
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSVd_0
AKTKc
Make a sun dial
• https://wowscience.co.uk/why-do-we-move-
our-clocks-forward-blog-post-by-kulvinder-
johal/
Lighting effects
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0117zl
l
The Sun and shadows
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/z6fnvc
w
Find out more…
Going further with shadows
(10-15 minutes)
Logo for
section to
sit inside
roundel
6

7. Glossary of terms
bright: If an object is bright it gives out or reflects much light.
dark (scientific): Dark is the absence of light.
dark (everyday): Very little amount of light.
dull: If an object is dull it is not shiny or bright.
light: Light is the form of energy that makes it possible for eyes to see.
material: Anything used for building or making something else.
shiny: Reflecting or glowing with light.
surface: The outside limit or top layer of something.
7

8. Possible learning outcome for reviewing your work: I can explain how a
shadow is formed.
8
image courtesy of www.bregder.weebly.com/sun--moon-activities.html